Adjustable can handle



arch 6, 1962 c. D. LOCKWOOD ADJUSTABLE 01m HANDLE File'd Dec. 2, 1959 1 INVENTOR. Q 3/ CHARLES ,0. Lac/ W000 Iva/wins.

This invention relates to holders for utensils or containers, such as cans for paint, varnish, stain, wax, and the like, and in particular a handle extended downwardly from the upper end of a clamp having opposed clips positioned to grip beads or rims at upper and lower ends of cans, and wherein the distance between the clips is adjustable to compensate for cans of different sizes.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a readily adjustable handle for holding a can in one hand while painting, varnishing, staining, waxing, and the like with the other hand.

Various types of handles have been provided for holding cans and other containers. However, with conventional types of holders it is difficult to adjust the gripping elements to correspond with cans or containers of different sizes.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a substantially U-shaped band having gripping elements on an outwardly inclined leg and clips adjustably mounted on the other leg' whereby the clips may be adjusted to grip rims at the ends of cans of different sizes, and wherein the clips are actuated to release the rims of the can by a trigger.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an adjustable handle for cans in which the distance between clips on one portion of the handle is readily adjustable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a can carrying handle having diverging legs in which hand gripping elements are provided on one leg and can gripping elements are positioned on the opposite leg.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable handle for cans and the like in which the handle is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a substantially U-shaped band having a vertical and an outwardly inclined leg, with transverse teeth or serrations on the inner surface of the vertical leg, and a clip or inverted hook on the outer surface of said vertical leg, and with a coacting clip or hook carried by a slider adjustably held in position on the vertical leg by a trigger and pawl.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the adjustable can handle showing the handle positioned on a short can and in which the can is shown in broken lines.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view similar to that shown in FIGURE 1, showing the handle on a can of greater height than that of the can shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross section through the handle taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing the adjustable elements of the handle, and with the parts shown on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, illustrating in particular, the trigger and pawl assembly for retaining the clips in can gripping positions.

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the can handle.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional plan through the adjustable 3,024,57 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 i id can handle taken on line 66 of FIGURE 5 with the parts shown on a still further enlarged scale.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts the improved can handle of this invention includes a substantially U- shaped band 10 having a vertical leg 11 and an inclined leg 12, a block 13 extended through an elongated slot 14 in the vertical leg 11 of the handle, a clip 15 positioned on the outer surface of the leg 11, a slider 16 having a back 17 with flanges 18 and 19 at the sides extended around the vertical leg and having a clip 20 depending from the lower edge, a trigger 21 having a pawl 22 on the lower end mounted on the block 13 and positioned with the pawl 22 in engagement with teeth or serrations 23 on the inner surface of the leg 11, a spring 24 extended around the block 13 for urging the pawl 22 in engagement with the teeth 23, and gripping elements 25 and 35 on the leg 12 to provide a handle.

The trigger 21 is provided with an opening 26 in which the inner end of the block 13 is positioned and the trigger is retained on the block by a screw 27 which is threaded in an opening 28 in the block. A plate 29 and a washer 30 are provided between the head of the screw and trigger, and a washer 31 of a relatively soft metal, such as brass is provided between the spring 24 and leg 11.

With the parts assembled as illustrated and described the clip 15 is placed over a rim 32 of a can 33 and, by pressing against the trigger 21, the block and clip 20 may be adjusted until the clip 20 is clamped over a rim 34 on the lower end of the can, and with the clips 15 and 20 fitted snugly over the rims at the ends of the can, the can may readily be picked up and held as paint, varnish, stain, wax, and the like are used from the can,

It will be understood that modifications, within the scope of the appended claim, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

An adjustable can handle comprising a U-shaped band having a vertical leg and an inclined leg having gripping elements thereon, the vertical leg having an elongated longitudinally extending slot therein, serrations on one surface and a clip on the opposite surface, a slider mounted on said vertical leg for sliding movement thereon longitudinally thereof, a pawl in the slider and positioned to coact with the serrations on the said one surface thereof, a trigger in the slider for actuating the pawl, and a clip depending from the slider and positioned to coact with the clip on the vertical leg so that said clips are positioned for gripping upper and lower rims of a can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 481,986 Waldron Sept. 6, 1892 574,564 Nilson Jan. 5, 1897 779,453 White Jan. 10, 1905 1,006,183 Davie Oct. 17, 1911 1,492,999 Mercer May 6, 1924 1,606,569 Guess Nov. 9, 1926 1,760,346 Correa May 27, 1930 1,868,718 Norton July 26, 1932 2,010,317 Olson Aug. 6, 1935 2,227,365 Prevost Dec. 31, 1940 2,396,479 Votaw Mar. 12, 1946 2,559,190 Hallstream July 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 711,169 Great Britain June 23, 1954 

